At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us as a Buyer to support procurement and sourcing for cutting-edge humanoid robots.
- Company: Humanoid, a pioneering tech company focused on robotics and AI.
- Benefits: 30+ paid days off, private healthcare, pension scheme, and free meals.
- Other info: Collaborate with world-class engineers and have a real impact from day one.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission to amplify human potential with innovative robotics technology.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in procurement, ideally in manufacturing or technology sectors.
The predicted salary is between 37800 - 46200 £ per year.
Here at Humanoid, we believe in a future where robots amplify human potential. That’s why we’ve set out on a mission to build the world’s most capable, commercially-scalable, and safe humanoid robots. We’re bringing that mission to life with HMND‑01 Alpha - our rapidly developed humanoid platform now running in real industrial pilots - and we’re growing the team to take it even further.
About the Role
We’re looking for a Buyer to join our team in London, UK, on an initial 6-month fixed-term contract. This role will report directly to the SCM Lead.
What You'll Do
- We are seeking a Buyer - Directs for an operational procurement role focused on P2P execution, supplier communication, and tactical sourcing support across Humanoid’s direct material commodity.
- The role supports the SCM Lead, you will partner with teams in London, Boston, and Vancouver in delivering continuity of supply, cost performance, and operational excellence across Mechanical, Electronics, Electromechanical, Cables & Harnessing, and Software commodities.
Operational Responsibilities
- Conduct market research to identify cost‑saving opportunities and understand price trends and supply risks.
- Support sourcing initiatives, including RFx processes, negotiations, and contract execution.
- Drive cost, lead‑time, and efficiency improvements with measurable KPIs.
- Capture business requirements and translate them into clear commercial packages.
- Negotiate optimal commercial terms (pricing, payment terms, lead times, Ts & Cs).
- Conduct price analysis and cost‑breakdown validation to ensure fair and equitable pricing.
- Process requisitions and purchase orders in line with procurement policies.
- Maintain accurate PO and supplier data within SAP and associated systems.
- Resolve supplier performance issues, discrepancies and understand the escalation process.
- Communicate to internal stakeholders as appropriate.
- Minimise risk to continuity of supply by carrying out supplier risk assessments for the portfolio’s suppliers and implementing corrective actions as required.
- Support continuous improvement of procurement processes, documentation, and tools.
- Deliver KPI’s relating to cost, cash, quality, service and continuity of supply for the commodity proposals.
- Run MRP (SAP) and ensure timely availability of direct goods and services.
- Experience of implementing Supplier Relationship Management techniques/tools with suppliers (RMMs, Score Cards, Monthly Performance Reviews (MPRs), Communications Plans, Risk Management, DnB report, Sanctions list etc.).
- Support Production, Engineering, Quality, and Planning teams to meet manufacturing needs.
- Directly support the SCM Lead in the regional area.
- This role supports the Commodity teams in sourcing activities but does not own commodity strategy or supplier selection decisions.
What We're Looking For
Experience & Qualifications
- 3+ years of direct procurement experience, ideally in manufacturing, robotics, technology, aerospace/defence or automotive.
- Proven experience working within scaling direct procurement functions.
- Degree in Business, Law, Engineering, or related field.
- CIPS (MCIPS) Level 4 or equivalent; APICS CPIM desirable.
- Strong understanding of contract law, commercial terms, and negotiation frameworks.
- Awareness of export controls (including EAR) relevant to robotics and technology.
Technical Skills
- Proficient in Google Workspace, Slack, and database management.
- Experience with MRP/ERP systems; SAP essential.
- Good analytical, numerical, and planning capabilities.
- A good understanding of the Legal Aspects associated with contracting within the Robotics industry.
- Procure-2-Pay and tactical procurement experience (Essential) across the following direct commodities pillars: Mechanical Systems, Electronics & Electrical, Electromechanical Systems, Cables & Harnessing, Software & Digital Licensing (P2P support).
Soft Skills
- Good negotiation, influencing, and stakeholder‑management skills.
- Ability to work cross‑functionally in a fast‑paced, engineering‑driven environment.
- Highly organised, adaptable, and able to manage shifting priorities.
- Professional, motivated, and able to operate autonomously.
What We Offer
- 30+ paid days off, including 23 days of annual leave, all UK bank holidays, and additional company closure days (including Christmas–New Year shutdown).
- Private healthcare, including virtual and in‑person care.
- Pension scheme with 8% total contribution (5% employee, 3% employer) on full earnings.
- Free daily breakfast, catered lunch, and snacks in-office.
- Work at the frontier - collaborate daily with world‑class engineers, researchers, and product experts building the next generation of AI and humanoid robotics.
- Real ownership - direct access to founding leadership, meaningful input on product direction, and the ability to drive key initiatives from day one.
Buyer (FTC) in London employer: Humanoid
Humanoid is an exceptional employer located in the vibrant city of London, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Employees benefit from hands-on experience in cutting-edge robotics technology, with ample opportunities for professional growth and development. The company's commitment to creating high-performance solutions in a supportive environment makes it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in engineering.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer (FTC) in London
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer (FTC) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show Humanoid that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, Humanoid can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows Humanoid that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let Humanoid know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at Humanoid
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.
